While both orthodontists and dentists focus on oral health, their roles aren’t the same. Dentists handle a wide range of general care like fillings, cleanings, and treating gum disease – and, depending on their training, experience and competence, may also provide some orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are dental specialists who focus specifically on correcting misaligned teeth and jaws with treatments such as braces or clear aligners.
Knowing the difference helps you choose the right professional for your needs and ensures you get safe, effective care. In this post, we’ll break down what sets orthodontists apart from dentists, when you should visit each one, how they work together, and what to consider around training, scope, and cost.
Quick Summary of Differences
- Training and registration: Dentists complete a 5–6 year dental degree. Orthodontists complete the same dental degree plus at least four years of specialist registrar training.
- Scope of care: Dentists provide preventive, diagnostic, restorative, cosmetic and – depending on their training, experience and competence – general dentists may provide orthodontic treatment in suitable cases. Orthodontists have additional specialist training focused specifically on orthodontics and are particularly equipped to manage complex orthodontic and skeletal cases; they focus exclusively on diagnosing and treating tooth and jaw alignment, and bite problems.
- Case complexity: General dentists commonly manage mild crowding, spacing, or minor tooth movement. Complex bite corrections, significant skeletal discrepancies, or multi-tooth movement plans are best managed by a specialist orthodontist.
- Collaboration: Dentists and orthodontists often work together. An orthodontist may refer you to a dentist for fillings, extractions, cleaning or other treatment needed before or during orthodontic care; dentists refer to orthodontists when alignment or bite issues need specialist assessment.
- Cost considerations: Specialist orthodontic treatment can cost more due to advanced training and complex case management, though pricing varies by provider, case complexity and treatment length. Some general dentists offer orthodontic services at different price points for suitable cases.
- What’s included: Consultations, custom appliances (braces/aligners), scans, follow-ups, refinements and retainers may be included depending on the practice and plan.
- Payment options: Finance and potential medical aid coverage (where applicable) should be confirmed with your provider.
What Is a Dentist?
A dentist is a healthcare professional who specialises in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a broad range of oral health issues. Dentists are responsible for services related to the overall health of your teeth, gums and mouth – and, depending on their additional training and competence, may also offer certain orthodontic treatments such as clear aligners or limited braces for appropriate cases.
Services Provided by Dentists
- Routine Checkups and Cleanings: Regular examinations to monitor oral health, professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, and guidance on daily hygiene.
- Cavity Treatment and Fillings: Diagnosis and restoration of decayed teeth with fillings to rebuild tooth structure.
- Gum Disease Treatment: Management of gingivitis and periodontitis through cleanings, root planing and, when needed, surgical referrals.
- Teeth Whitening: In-office and take-home whitening to brighten your smile.
- Extractions: Removal of teeth that are severely decayed, non-restorable, or impacted (including wisdom teeth).
- Restorative Procedures: Crowns, bridges, dentures and implants to restore function and aesthetics.
- Cosmetic Dentistry: Bonding, veneers and smile design to improve appearance.
- Some Orthodontic Treatment: Depending on their training, experience and competence, general dentists may provide orthodontic treatment in suitable cases.
In general, a dentist provides the foundational, comprehensive care needed to maintain and preserve the health of your teeth and gums – and can often coordinate or deliver simpler alignment treatments when appropriate.
What Is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on diagnosing, preventing and treating misalignments of the teeth and jaws. After completing dental school, orthodontists undertake at least four years of specialist registrar training.
Services Provided by Orthodontists
- Braces and Clear Aligners: Design, placement and management of fixed braces (metal/ceramic) and clear aligner systems (e.g. Invisalign) to straighten teeth, align the bite and correct issues such as overcrowding or gaps.
- Jaw Alignment and Bite Correction: Treatment of overbites, underbites, crossbites and other malocclusions using braces, functional appliances, palatal expanders and, where needed, coordination with oral surgeons.
- Growth and Development (Children): Early intervention to guide jaw growth, create space and reduce the risk of severe problems later.
- Complex Tooth Movement: Management of difficult cases involving multiple teeth, impacted teeth, significant rotations or anchorage control.
- Retainers and Retention Planning: Custom retainers and long-term retention strategies to maintain results after active treatment.
- Orthognathic Surgery Referrals: For severe skeletal discrepancies, orthodontists coordinate with oral and maxillofacial surgeons for corrective jaw surgery.
Orthodontics is highly specialised, and the primary goal is to improve both the appearance and functionality of your teeth and bite – especially in complex cases that require advanced diagnosis and biomechanics.
Key Differences Between an Orthodontist and a Dentist
1. Training and Education
- Dentists: Complete a 5–6 year dental degree covering all areas of general dentistry. They are trained to treat a broad range of dental issues across prevention, restoration and cosmetics.
- Orthodontists: Complete the same dental degree plus at least four years of specialist registrar training focused on orthodontics, gaining deep expertise in aligning teeth, jaws and bites. This specialist training is what really distinguishes the two.
2. Area of Expertise
- Dentists: Provide general dental care, including checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, gum treatment and, depending on their training, experience and competence, may provide orthodontic treatment in suitable cases.
- Orthodontists: Specialise in diagnosing and treating misalignments of the teeth and jaws, using braces, clear aligners and other orthodontic appliances – particularly for complex bite and skeletal issues.
3. Types of Treatments
- Dentists: Offer preventive, diagnostic, restorative and cosmetic treatments (fillings, crowns, whitening, implants) and may offer clear aligners or limited braces when within their competence.
- Orthodontists: Focus specifically on treatments that correct teeth alignment and jaw positioning, including comprehensive braces and aligner therapy, growth modification in children, and retention planning.
4. Referrals and Collaboration
- Dentist → Orthodontist: If your dentist identifies a misalignment or bite issue that requires specialist assessment or complex mechanics, they will refer you to an orthodontist.
- Orthodontist → Dentist: Orthodontists often refer patients back to their dentist for fillings, extractions, professional cleaning, or other general dental work needed before or during orthodontic treatment. Close collaboration ensures safe, coordinated care.
5. Cost Considerations
- Specialist training and complexity: Orthodontic treatment by a specialist can cost more due to advanced training, comprehensive diagnosis and management of complex cases.
- Case-dependent pricing: Costs vary by complexity, treatment length, appliances used, and the practitioner’s experience. Some general dentists offer orthodontic services at different price points for mild to moderate cases.
- What to confirm: Ask what’s included (scans, refinements, retainers, follow-ups), estimated treatment time, and financing or medical aid options.
When Should You See a Dentist?
You should visit a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings – ideally every six months. If you experience issues such as cavities, gum disease, tooth pain, broken teeth or cosmetic concerns (whitening, bonding, veneers), your dentist is the first point of contact for diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, dentists can address many restorative needs (crowns, bridges, implants) and, depending on their training, may offer clear aligners or limited braces for suitable cases.
When Should You See an Orthodontist?
You should see an orthodontist if:
- You or your child need braces to straighten teeth, especially for moderate to complex crowding or spacing.
- You have bite issues such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites or deep bites.
- You are interested in clear aligners like Invisalign for anything beyond very mild alignment.
- You need a retainer after completing orthodontic treatment or have relapsed after previous treatment.
- You experience difficulty chewing, speaking or jaw discomfort due to teeth or jaw misalignment.
- A dentist has recommended specialist assessment for alignment or bite correction.
If your dentist notices any of these issues during a checkup, they may refer you to an orthodontist for further evaluation and a specialist treatment plan.
How to Choose Between an Orthodontist and a Dentist for Alignment Treatment
- Start with an assessment: A thorough exam with photos, X-rays/scans and a bite analysis is essential to determine case complexity and the safest option.
- Mild cases: For mild crowding, minor rotations or small gaps, an experienced general dentist who regularly provides clear aligners or limited braces may be appropriate.
- Moderate to complex cases: For significant bite correction, jaw development issues, multiple extractions, impacted teeth or complex mechanics, a specialist orthodontist is recommended.
- Ask about training and volume: Inquire about the provider’s orthodontic training, how many similar cases they treat, and whether they collaborate with specialists when needed.
- Clarify the plan and costs: Confirm what’s included (scans, refinements, retainers), estimated duration, visit frequency, and total fees. Ask about financing and any medical aid coverage.
- Our approach: We offer general dental care including braces and orthodontic treatment through registered dentists within their training, competence and scope of practice. Where specialist assessment or treatment is required, the patient will be referred appropriately.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist is important for ensuring that you receive the right care for your needs. Dentists provide essential, comprehensive oral health services – and, depending on their training and competence, may also deliver limited orthodontic treatment for suitable cases. Orthodontists are specialists with additional years of training focused on diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws, particularly for complex bite and skeletal issues.
Both professionals often work together to coordinate care, and choosing the right provider depends on your case complexity, goals and the provider’s training and experience. Whether you’re maintaining your oral health with a dentist or working on improving your smile with an orthodontist, both play essential roles in your journey to a healthy, beautiful smile.
